About 1,000 people participate in flashmob to support Russian team to 2018 Olympic Games

Author of the national team’s uniform Anastasiya Zadorina noted that Russian athletes are invited to participate under the neutral flag, but nobody can limit fans in using the national flag

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MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. About 1,000 people participated in a flashmob at the biggest skating rink in Moscow, where they lined up to make a picture of the Russian Federation’s flag, thus supporting the Russian national Olympic team, TASS correspondent reported from the scene on Sunday.

The event featured Muscovites, athletes, the art figures, as well as designer of ZASPORT - author of the national team’s uniform - Anastasiya Zadorina.

"Right, our athletes are invited to participate under the neutral flag, but nobody can limit fans in using the national flag, and we always can support our team," the designer told TASS. "We can see how many people are supporting the team, and this is great!"

On December 5, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee, thus barring the Russian team from participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, under the national flag. The IOC accused Russia of systematic abuse of anti-doping rules at various sporting events, including the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The IOC vowed to observe the rights of clean athletes. Those who match the proposed criteria may be invited to the 2018 Games as "Olympic athletes from Russia," under a flag with five rings, it said.

The upcoming Olympics, which are 23rd Winter Games, will take place in South Korea’s PyeongChang on February 9-25, 2018.